NEW YORK - We all want to identify the hero in the fight to save the NHL season. But the brighter outlook in the NHL collective bargaining negotiations might simply be a result of both sides realizing that if you want to save the farm, both sides might have to give up a tractor or two.

The main reason the two sides returned to the bargaining table after 2 p.m. ET Wednesday that both sides softened their positions in several hours of talks on Tuesday. There was an acknowledgment from both sides that they will have to give up something to reach a deal to end the 81-day old lockout.

Although both parties have been careful not to reveal what exactly was said on Tuesday, the word "flexibility" seems to be emerging from both camps.

Another positive sign is that the NHL and NHLPA were willing to delay this week's scheduled hearings in front of the Quebec labor board. The meetings have been postponed to accommodate more bargaining.

The two sides were $182 million apart on the main economic issues and miles apart on the issue of individual contract rights. The speculation has always been that players will have to give in on the money issue and owners will have to start seeing it the players' way on the contract issues to get the 2012-13 season on track.

Undoubtedly, the specifics of where the two sides will have to compromise will be the focus of Wednesday afternoon's discussion.

Both sides are still trying to be cautious in their optimism because they still don't how far both sides are willing to go to make a deal. It's still possible that when each side reviews their new positions they could still be far apart.

However, the hope is that, the new negotiating format will help them bridge the gap more easily.

One potential complication is the NHL re-visiting its original desire for a 10-year deal. The players have been looking for a five-year deal, and the owners had been offering six. The 10-year proposal would have an out clause after eight years.

The longer deal is appealing because neither side wants to go through another negotiation any time soon. However, union chief Donald Fehr's objection to the longer deal is that the NHLPA will turn over a significant number of players even in five years and those players deserve a say in how their future is determined.

The afternoon session started with the players making a proposal, and then owners leaving to discuss. Based on the foot traffic, they came back to talk to players briefly two or three times after that.

Under this new format, proposed by Bettman last week, neither Bettman nor Fehr are present during the negotiations. However, they are both in the hotel, and meeting and advising with their negotiation teams.

Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs had been a leading force in the negotiations before this week. He is viewed as hardliner among owners, and players clearly were weary of his voice in the proceedings. He is still a member of the negotiating team, but the moderate Burkle has played a more active role. Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik and Winnipeg Jets' Mark Chipman and Toronto Maple Leafs' Larry Tanenbaum have also added a fresh perspective. It also probably helps that Burkle and Penguins captain Crosby has a good relationship. It's also not a coincidence that Crosby's agent, Pat Brisson, who is a close friend of Penguins owner Mario Lemieux, is also in New York. Brisson is a powerful agent, respected by teams for his opinions about the game. He is a man with enough ties to help bridge the gap between players and owners.

The NHLPA added Dan Winnik and Chris Campoli to the mix while Andy McDonald, Toews and Craig Adams went home.

The board of governors met Wednesday for about two hours. Governors don't usually say much because they face the possibility of huge fines if they say anything about the lockout or collective bargaining.

But new Columbus Blue Jackets team president John Davidson told the news media he felt "good" about the information he received.

Bettman went up to the podium afterward, was brief in his remarks and didn't take questions.

"We are pleased with the process that is ongoing," Bettman said. "Out of respect for that process, I don't have anything else to say."

Even the two sides start making progress, it could take some time to finalize all of the details, which would also include a 50-50 split of revenue and more team revenue sharing. Issues such as Olympic participation and realignment must also be decided, although it has always been presumed that those could fall in place quickly if the major issues are resolved.

Once a deal is reached, the expectation is that a season could start in 10 days. The timeline would be three days to get players into their home cities for a seven-day training camp. In other words, if a deal could be reached this weekend, the NHL could start play a week before Christmas and the league could potentially play a 54- or 56-game schedule.

But that would be a very optimistic viewing, assuming that there would be a quick-step march to a deal. There is still a distinct possibility that negotiations could bog down.

Probably the best analysis of what might happen Wednesday is that the less you hear about what's going on, the more likely it is that something good is happening.